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Driving forces and basic conditions of developing a

wood-based bio-refinery in Switzerland

Workshop II – February 5, 2016

School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL, Zollikofen

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NRP 66 “Resource Wood” : A holistic approach

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The goals of NRP 66 “Resource Wood”

In particular, the programme aims to achieve

1. a broader understanding of wood-based material flows and improvements to wood supplies,

2. new knowledge and technologies for using wood as a basic component in chemical products and for manufacturing new composite materials,

3. further technical advances in the generation of power from wood and in using it as a material for structures and buildings, and

4. competitiveness through added value in wood-based industries; enhanced skills and research capacities in Switzerland.

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Four dialogue platforms to promote exchangebetween theory and practice

Advancements in timber construction

Novel ways in bio-refining of wood

Provisioning and sustainable use of wood

Innovative wood-based materials for new applications

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NRP 66 schedule

travelling exhibition

1st research phase 2nd research phase

site visits

1st

summer school

2nd

summer school

concluding event

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

1st PRM 2nd PRM 3rd PRM synthesis kick-off

support in knowledge and technology transfer

dialogue platforms synthesis innovation S-WIN

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Dialogue field „Novel ways in bio-refining of wood“: Key questions and short feedback fromWorkshop I (Dec 10, 2015)

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Issues and key questions

• Which bio-refinery concepts would be best suited to Switzerland or certain regions (in terms of scale/ size and location of the plants, value added and the impact on wood resources)? Which is the best way of bio-refining wood in Switzerland?

• Are there markets and opportunities for Swiss industry for products and services derived from wood biomass in general and in particular in Switzerland (energy services, specialty chemicals, commodity chemicals or other high-value chemicals based on wood)?

• Which framework conditions (i. e. political, economic and regulatory framework, technical norms and standards, societal values etc.) are necessary in order to realize an efficient bio-refining of wood in Switzerland?

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Looking back to Workshop I (Dec 10, 2015)

• First overview on bio-refinery concepts: definition, routes andprocesses, products, services and applications

• Wood use in bio-refineries (hardwood and softwood)

• State of the art in pre-treatment and conversion methods, engineeringchallenges, “steam explosion” as an ideal route for using lignin

• Agro Energie Schwyz: project of heating station (20 MW) and steamturbine (4.5 MW), an example of using wood for district heating. Future: wood gasification project? Boundary conditions not so easy.

• Environmental and economic aspects

• Gaps in research and development, industrial needs

• Market aspects

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Bio-refinery concept: A tentative definition

Source: F. Maréchal (EPFL)

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First conclusions

• Technically, it is possible to gain any petroleum-based chemical product or energy source through refining wood or another renewable raw material. It is, however, not yet clear whether such an approach is rewarding from a financial and ecological point of view.

• In Switzerland, the framework conditions are presumably unsuitable for synthesizing basic chemicals; the focus should rather be on high-value specialty chemicals.

• It is also thinkable for Switzerland to invest in technology development only, then export the know-how and produce abroad.

• The materials and energy sources produced in foreign bio-refineries could ultimately be re-imported in Switzerland in a needs-oriented way.

• “I personally do not believe that a commercial bio-refinery will ever exist in Switzerland.” (S. Biollaz) Source: P. Poldervaart, Report on WS I

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Morning programme

• Part 1: Concepts for bio-refining wood“From the sugar platform to biofuels and biochemicals”, Final report for the European Commission, 2015, Luca Bertuccioli (E4tech Lausanne)

• Part 2: Opportunities and limits

− Production of lignocellulosic ethanol and its use as biofuel in engines. Michael Studer (BFH-HAFL) and René Schweiz (Scania Schweiz)

− Transformation of wood into chemical commodity feedstock. Paul Dyson (EPFL) and Daniel Zollinger (Lonza)

• Part 3: Discussion sessions (in parallel): (1) Energy products and services, (2) Chemical products based on wood biomass.

• Lunch with the possibility to visit the laboratory of M. Studer’s research group (optional)

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Part 3: Discussion sessions (in parallel)

• Group 1: room B.4.10ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Focus on biofuels (liquid and gas) from wood biomass.Chair: Markus Zeifang (KTT officer of the SCCER BIOSWEET)

• Group 2: plenary room (Hörsaal 3)CHEMICAL PRODUCTS BASED ON WOOD BIOMASSFocus on commodity and value-added chemicals from wood-biomassChair: Martin Riediker (president of the Steering Committee of NRP 66)With input by Thomas Kläusli, Chief Marketing Officer, AVA Biochem

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Lunch (12.30 − 1.30 p.m.)

• Tables are reserved in the self-service restaurant of the HAFL

• You can choose between a rich salad bowl (from the buffet) and one ofthe two daily menus (fish/meat)

• Please return to the plenary room (Hörsaal) for coffee and dessert.

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Afternoon programme

• A short report from the discussion sessions (2x15’)

• Part 4: Basics and frameworks conditions

− Short input of Urs Glutz Swisspower Services AG

− Recommendations based on a new study by the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (Christian Suter, SATW)

− Exemption of biofuels from the mineral oil tax: A key to producing fuels from renewable feedstocks in Switzerland? (Sarah Grieder, Federal Department of Finance)

− The forestry perspective (Alfred Kammerhofer, FOEN)

• Part 5: Panel discussion “The future of bio-refinery in Switzerland”Chair: Jakob Rhyner (member of the Steering Commitee of NRP 66)

• Closing remark and next steps (Martin Riediker & Enrico Bellini)

• End with an aperitif offered by Michael Studer and his research team

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Part 5: Panel discussion

• Topic: The future of bio-refinery in Switzerland

• Leading questions: Is there a future for bio-refining in Switzerland? Which bio-refinery concepts would be best suited to Switzerland (or certain regions) in terms of scale/ size and location of the plants, value added and the impact on wood resources? Which is the best way of bio-refining wood in Switzerland?

• Panel members:Federal Office for the Environment: Rolf Manserfederal Department of Finance: Sarah GriederEnergy sector: Urs Rhyner, AGRO Energie Schwyz AGSATW: Christian SuterChemical sector: Thomas Kläusli, AVA BIOCHEMSciences / NRP 66: François Marechal & Paul Dyson, EPFL

• Chair: Jakob Rhyner, member of the Steering Committee of NRP 66

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Closing remark and next steps

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Next steps

• All presentations (PPT) and a short report about today’s workshop will soon be available on www.nrp66.ch

• Kick-off meeting for the programme synthesis in NRP 66 (April 14-15, 2016, Olten) – a joint event of the four dialogue platforms of NRP 66 involving the research community and representatives of various enterprises, NGOs and public administration (upon invitation)

• Elaboration of the thematic synthesis “Novel ways in bio-refining of wood”

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Thank you for your attention and participation!www.nrp66.ch